The two executives, both of whom are married, described their relationship as professional and not personal.

Authorities and executives from foreign energy companies described the incident as an isolated act, by an individual extremist.

An executive described the company as "a community of artists who upload their artwork in digital form."

Biobank's chief executive described such a risk as "extremely low, if it exists at all."

In interviews yesterday, the executives described the current round of talks as casual at best.

"Not full of bluff and bluster," was how one executive described him.

The company, which is family held, does not disclose earnings, but a former executive describes it as "very profitable" at most times.

Over lunch, six executives of Jacksonville companies described how their own business depended on imports and exports.

The government has not disclosed the results, but executives at many companies described their thinking in interviews this week.

One senior executive involved in the talks described the situation as "still pretty fluid."